Wireless power supply for electrical devices

ABSTRACT

A wireless power supply system may comprise a wireless power transmitting circuit configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals, and a wireless power receiving circuit configured to convert power from the RF signals into a direct-current (DC) output voltage stored in an energy storage element. The wireless power transmitting circuit may be electrically or magnetically coupled to an antenna and/or electrical wiring of a building for transmitting the RF signals. The wireless power transmitting circuit may be housed in an enclosure that is affixed in a relative location with respect to the wireless power receiving circuit. The antenna may comprise two antenna wires that extend from the enclosure. The wireless power receiving circuit may be electrically or magnetically coupled to an antenna for receiving the RF signals. The wireless power receiving circuit may comprise an RF-to-DC converter circuit for converting the power from the RF signals into a DC output voltage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application Serial No.17/080,611, filed Oct. 26, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. Pat.Application Serial No. 15/475,991, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,819,158 issued October 27,2020; which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 62/317,154, filed on Apr. 1,2016, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

A user environment, such as a residence or an office building forexample, may be configured using various types of load control systems.A lighting control system may be used to control the lighting loads inthe user environment. A motorized window treatment control system may beused to control the natural light provided to the user environment. AnHVAC system may be used to control the temperature in the userenvironment. Each load control system may include various controldevices, including control-source devices and control-target devices.The control-target devices may receive digital messages, which mayinclude load control instructions, for controlling an electrical loadfrom one or more of the control-source devices. The control-targetdevices may be capable of directly controlling an electrical load. Thecontrol-source devices may be capable of indirectly controlling theelectrical load via the control-target device. Examples ofcontrol-target devices may include lighting control devices (e.g., adimmer switch, an electronic switch, a ballast, or a light-emittingdiode (LED) driver), a motorized window treatment, a temperature controldevice (e.g., a thermostat), an AC plug-in load control device, and/orthe like. Examples of control-source devices may include remote controldevices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, temperature sensors,and/or the like.

Battery powered control devices may greatly simplify the installationprocess in retrofit applications by removing the need for electricalwiring. However, replacing batteries in control devices may be anannoyance to a user, and therefore, methods to reduce or eliminatebattery replacement is highly desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a power supply for an electricaldevice, and more particularly, to a wireless power supply for wirelesslysupplying power to one or more control devices of a load control system.

As described herein, a wireless power supply system may comprise awireless power transmitting circuit configured to transmit RF signals,and a wireless power receiving circuit configured to convert power fromthe RF signals into a direct-current (DC) output voltage stored in anenergy storage element (e.g., a storage capacitor or a battery). Thewireless power transmitting circuit may be electrically or magneticallycoupled to an antenna and/or to electrical wiring of a building fortransmitting the RF signals to the wireless power receiving circuit. Thewireless power transmitting circuit may be housed in an enclosure andthe antenna may comprise at least two antenna wires that areelectrically or magnetically coupled to the wireless power transmittingcircuit and, for example, may extend from the enclosure (e.g., to form adipole antenna). Alternatively or additionally, the wireless powertransmitting circuit may use existing power wiring to radiate power. Theenclosure may be configured to be affixed in a relative location withrespect to the wireless power receiving circuit, for example, at leasttwo feet apart from the wireless power receiving circuit. The wirelesspower receiving circuit may be electrically or magnetically coupled toan antenna for receiving the RF signals transmitted by the wirelesspower transmitting circuit. The antenna may comprise at least twoantenna wires coupled to the wireless power receiving circuit (e.g., toform a dipole antenna). The wireless power receiving circuit maycomprise an RF-to-DC converter circuit coupled to the antenna forconverting the power from the RF signals into a DC output voltage.

In addition, a control device having a wireless power receiving circuitis also described herein. The wireless power receiving circuit mayconvert power from RF signals received by an antenna into adirect-current (DC) output voltage stored in an energy storage element.The control device may also comprise a regulated power supply configuredto generate a DC supply voltage from the DC output voltage generated bythe wireless power receiving circuit, a control circuit configured to bepowered by the DC supply voltage, and a wireless communication circuitcoupled to the control circuit and configured to transmit wirelesssignals. The control circuit may be configured to be powered exclusivelyby the DC supply voltage.

As also described herein, a motor drive unit for a motorized windowtreatment may be configured to drive a motor of the motorized windowtreatment and may comprise a wireless power receiving circuit. Thewireless power receiving circuit may convert power from RF signalsreceived by an antenna into a direct-current (DC) output voltage storedin an energy storage element. The motor drive unit may further comprisea regulated power supply, a boost converter, a drive circuit, and acontrol circuit. The regulated power supply may generate a DC supplyvoltage from the DC output voltage generated by the wireless powerreceiving circuit. The boost converter may generate a boosted voltagefrom the DC supply voltage, where the boosted voltage has a magnitudegreater than a magnitude of the DC supply voltage. The drive circuit maycontrol the amount of power delivered to the motor. The drive circuitmay be coupled to the boosted voltage for drawing current from theboosted voltage when the drive circuit is delivering power to the motor.The control circuit may be configured to be powered by the DC supplyvoltage and may be configured to generate a drive signal for controllingthe drive circuit to adjust the amount of power delivered to the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B each show a simple diagram of an example load controlsystem having a wireless power supply for one or more control devices ofthe load control system.

FIGS. 2A and 2B each show a simplified block diagram of an examplewireless power transmitting module.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control devicehaving a wireless power receiving circuit.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of another example control devicehaving a wireless power receiving circuit.

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram of a portion of a wirelesspower receiving circuit illustrating a first example of an RF-to-DCconverter circuit.

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of a portion of a wirelesspower receiving circuit illustrating a second example of an RF-to-DCconverter circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a simple diagram of an example load control system 100 forcontrolling the amount of power delivered from an alternating-current(AC) power source (not shown) to one or more electrical loads. The loadcontrol system 100 may be installed in a room 102 of a building. Theload control system 100 may comprise a plurality of control devicesconfigured to communicate with each other via wireless signals, e.g.,radio-frequency (RF) signals 108. Alternatively or additionally, theload control system 100 may comprise a wired digital communication linkcoupled to one or more of the control devices to provide forcommunication between the load control devices. The control devices ofthe load control system 100 may comprise a number of control-sourcedevices (e.g., input devices operable to transmit digital messages inresponse to user inputs, occupancy/vacancy conditions, changes inmeasured light intensity, etc.) and a number of control-target devices(e.g., load control devices operable to receive digital messages andcontrol respective electrical loads in response to the received digitalmessages). A single control device of the load control system 100 mayoperate as both a control-source and a control-target device.

The control-source devices may be configured to transmit digitalmessages directly to the control-target devices. In addition, the loadcontrol system 100 may comprise a system controller 110 (e.g., a centralprocessor or load controller) operable to communicate digital messagesto and from the control devices (e.g., the control-source devices and/orthe control-target devices). For example, the system controller 110 maybe configured to receive digital messages from the control-sourcedevices and transmit digital messages to the control-target devices inresponse to the digital messages received from the control-sourcedevices. The control-source and control-target devices and the systemcontroller 110 may be configured to transmit and receive the RF signals108 using a proprietary RF protocol, such as the ClearConnect® protocol.Alternatively, the RF signals 108 may be transmitted using a differentRF protocol, such as, a standard protocol, for example, one of WIFI,ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, ENOCEAN RADIO protocols, or a differentproprietary protocol.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more load controldevices, e.g., a dimmer switch 120 for controlling a lighting load 122.The dimmer switch 120 may be adapted to be wall-mounted in a standardelectrical wallbox. The dimmer switch 120 may comprise a tabletop orplug-in load control device. The dimmer switch 120 may comprise a toggleactuator (e.g., a button) and an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., arocker switch). Actuations (e.g., successive actuations) of the toggleactuator may toggle (e.g., turn off and on) the lighting load 122.Actuations of an upper portion or a lower portion of the intensityadjustment actuator may respectively increase or decrease the amount ofpower delivered to the lighting load 122 and thus increase or decreasethe intensity of the receptive lighting load from a minimum intensity(e.g., approximately 1%) to a maximum intensity (e.g., approximately100%). The dimmer switch 120 may comprise a plurality of visualindicators, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are arranged in alinear array and are illuminated to provide feedback of the intensity ofthe lighting load 122. Examples of wall-mounted dimmer switches aredescribed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 29,1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, and U.S. Pat. ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0132475, published May 15, 2014, entitled WIRELESSLOAD CONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The dimmer switch 120 may be configured to wirelessly receive digitalmessages via the RF signals 108 (e.g., from the system controller 110,from a control-source devices, etc.) and to control the lighting load122 in response to the received digital messages. Examples of dimmerswitches operable to transmit and receive digital messages is describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Application No.12/033,223, filed Feb. 19, 2008, entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR ARADIO-FREQUENCY LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more remotely-locatedload control devices, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) driver 130for driving an LED light source 132 (e.g., an LED light engine). The LEDdriver 130 may be located remotely, for example, in or adjacent to thelighting fixture of the LED light source 132. The LED driver 130 may beconfigured to receive digital messages via the RF signals 108 (e.g.,from the system controller 110) and to control the LED light source 132in response to the received digital messages. The LED driver 130 may beconfigured to adjust the color (e.g., color temperature) of the LEDlight source 132 in response to the received digital messages. Examplesof LED drivers configured to control the color temperature of LED lightsources are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.Application Publication No. 2014/0312777, filed Oct. 23, 2014, entitledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The loadcontrol system 100 may further comprise other types of remotely-locatedload control devices, such as, for example, electronic dimming ballastsfor driving fluorescent lamps.

The load control system 100 may comprise a plug-in load control device140 for controlling a plug-in electrical load, e.g., a plug-in lightingload (e.g., such as a floor lamp 142 or a table lamp) and/or anappliance (e.g., such as a television or a computer monitor). Forexample, the floor lamp 142 may be plugged into the plug-in load controldevice 140. The plug-in load control device 140 may be plugged into astandard electrical outlet 144 and thus may be coupled in series betweenthe AC power source and the plug-in lighting load. The plug-in loadcontrol device 140 may be configured to receive digital messages via theRF signals 108 (e.g., from the system controller 110) and to turn on andoff or adjust the intensity of the floor lamp 142 in response to thereceived digital messages.

Alternatively or additionally, the load control system 100 may comprisecontrollable receptacles for controlling plug-in electrical loadsplugged into the receptacles. The load control system 100 may compriseone or more load control devices or appliances that are able to directlyreceive the wireless signals 108 from the system controller 110, such asa speaker 146 (e.g., part of an audio/visual or intercom system), whichis able to generate audible sounds, such as alarms, music, intercomfunctionality, etc.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more daylight controldevices, e.g., motorized window treatments 150, such as motorizedcellular shades, for controlling the amount of daylight entering theroom 102. Each motorized window treatments 150 may comprise a windowtreatment fabric 152 hanging from a headrail 154 in front of arespective window. Each motorized window treatment 150 may furthercomprise a motor drive unit 155 located inside of the headrail 154 forraising and lowering the window treatment fabric 152 for controlling theamount of daylight entering the room 102. The motor drive units 155 ofthe motorized window treatments 150 may be configured to receive digitalmessages via the RF signals 108 (e.g., from the system controller 110)and adjust the position of the respective window treatment fabric 152 inresponse to the received digital messages. The motor drive unit 155 ofeach motorized window treatment 150 may be battery powered or may becoupled to an external AC or DC power source. The load control system100 may comprise other types of daylight control devices, such as, forexample, a cellular shade, a drapery, a Roman shade, a Venetian blind, aPersian blind, a pleated blind, a tensioned roller shade system, anelectrochromic or smart window, and/or other suitable daylight controldevices. Examples of battery-powered motorized window treatments aredescribed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10,2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, and U.S. Pat. ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0305602, published Oct. 16, 2014, entitledINTEGRATED ACCESSIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR MOTORIZED WINDOWTREATMENT, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more temperature controldevices, e.g., a thermostat 160 for controlling a room temperature inthe room 102. The thermostat 160 may be coupled to a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 162 via a control link(e.g., an analog control link or a wired digital communication link).The thermostat 160 may be configured to wirelessly communicate digitalmessages with a controller of the HVAC system 162. The thermostat 160may comprise a temperature sensor for measuring the room temperature ofthe room 102 and may control the HVAC system 162 to adjust thetemperature in the room to a setpoint temperature. The load controlsystem 100 may comprise one or more wireless temperature sensors (notshown) located in the room 102 for measuring the room temperatures. TheHVAC system 162 may be configured to turn a compressor on and off forcooling the room 102 and to turn a heating source on and off for heatingthe rooms in response to the control signals received from thethermostat 160. The HVAC system 162 may be configured to turn a fan ofthe HVAC system on and off in response to the control signals receivedfrom the thermostat 160. The thermostat 160 and/or the HVAC system 162may be configured to control one or more controllable dampers to controlthe air flow in the room 102.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more other types of loadcontrol devices, such as, for example, a screw-in luminaire including adimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaireincluding a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaireincluding an LED driver and an LED light source; an electronic switch,controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for turning anappliance on and off; a plug-in load control device, controllableelectrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling oneor more plug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motorload, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit forcontrolling a motorized window treatment or a projection screen;motorized interior or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heatingand/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling asetpoint temperature of an HVAC system; an air conditioner; acompressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; a controllabledamper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh air intake controller;a ventilation controller; a hydraulic valves for use radiators andradiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; adehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; arefrigerator; a freezer; a television or computer monitor; a videocamera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; agenerator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; andan alternative energy controller.

The load control system 100 may comprise one or more input devices,e.g., such as a remote control device 170, an occupancy sensor 172,and/or a daylight sensor 174. The input devices may be fixed or movableinput devices. The remote control device 170, the occupancy sensor 172,and/or the daylight sensor 174 may be wireless control devices (e.g., RFtransmitters) configured to transmit digital messages via the RF signals108 to the system controller 110 (e.g., directly to the systemcontroller). The system controller 110 may be configured to transmit oneor more digital messages to the load control devices (e.g., the dimmerswitch 120, the LED driver 130, the plug-in load control device 140, themotorized window treatments 150, and/or the thermostat 160) in responseto the digital messages received from the remote control device 170, theoccupancy sensor 172, and/or the daylight sensor 174. The remote controldevice 170, the occupancy sensor 172, and/or the daylight sensor 174 maybe configured to transmit digital messages directly to the dimmer switch120, the LED driver 130, the plug-in load control device 140, themotorized window treatments 150, and the temperature control device 160.

The remote control device 170 may be configured to transmit digitalmessages to the system controller 110 via the RF signals 108 in responseto an actuation of one or more buttons of the remote control device. Forexample, the remote control device 170 may be battery-powered. Theremote control device 170 may be handheld, mounted on a wall, affixed toa table top mount, and/or the like.

The occupancy sensor 172 may be configured to detect occupancy andvacancy conditions in the room 102 (e.g., the room in which theoccupancy sensors are mounted). For example, the occupancy sensor 172may be battery-powered. The occupancy sensor 172 may transmit digitalmessages to the system controller 110 via the RF signals 108 in responseto detecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The system controller110 may be configured to turn the lighting loads (e.g., lighting load122 and/or the LED light source 132) on and off in response to receivingan occupied command and a vacant command, respectively. The occupancysensor 172 may operate as a vacancy sensor, such that the lighting loadsare only turned off in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g.,and not turned on in response to detecting an occupancy condition).Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensorsare described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011 Sep. 3, 2008, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCYLIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING; U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010,issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING AWIRELESS SENSOR; and U.S. Patent No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012,entitled BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

The daylight sensor 174 may be configured to measure a total lightintensity in the room 102 (e.g., the room in which the daylight sensoris installed). For example, the daylight sensor 174 may bebattery-powered. The daylight sensor 174 may transmit digital messages(e.g., including the measured light intensity) to the system controller110 via the RF signals 108 for controlling the intensities of thelighting load 122 and/or the LED light source 132 in response to themeasured light intensity. Examples of RF load control systems havingdaylight sensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assignedU.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled METHOD OFCALIBRATING A DAYLIGHT SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May28, 2013, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may comprise other types of input devices,such as, for example, temperature sensors, humidity sensors,radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, shadow sensors, pressure sensors, smokedetectors, carbon monoxide detectors, air-quality sensors, motionsensors, security sensors, proximity sensors, fixture sensors, partitionsensors, keypads, multi-zone control units, slider control units,kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants, personal computers,laptops, timeclocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, powermonitoring devices (e.g., such as power meters, energy meters, utilitysubmeters, utility rate meters, etc.), central control transmitters,residential, commercial, or industrial controllers, and/or anycombination thereof.

The system controller 110 may be configured to be coupled to a network,such as a wireless or wired local area network (LAN), e.g., for accessto the Internet. The system controller 110 may be wirelessly connectedto the network, e.g., using Wi-Fi technology. The system controller 110may be coupled to the network via a network communication bus (e.g., anEthernet communication link).

The system controller 110 may be configured to communicate via thenetwork with one or more network devices, e.g., a mobile device 180,such as, a personal computing device and/or a wearable wireless device.The mobile device 180 may be located on an occupant 182, for example,may be attached to the occupant’s body or clothing or may be held by theoccupant. The mobile device 180 may be characterized by a uniqueidentifier (e.g., a serial number or address stored in memory) thatuniquely identifies the mobile device 180 and thus the occupant 182.Examples of personal computing devices may include a smart phone (forexample, an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or aBlackberry® smart phone), a laptop, and/or a tablet device (for example,an iPad® hand-held computing device). Examples of wearable wirelessdevices may include an activity tracking device (such as a FitBit®device, a Misfit® device, and/or a Sony Smartband® device), a smartwatch, smart clothing (e.g., OMsignal® smartwear, etc.), and/or smartglasses (such as Google Glass® eyewear). In addition, the systemcontroller 110 may be configured to communicate via the network with oneor more other control systems (e.g., a building management system, asecurity system, etc.).

The mobile device 180 may be configured to transmit digital messages tothe system controller 110, for example, in one or more Internet Protocolpackets. For example, the mobile device 180 may be configured totransmit digital messages to the system controller 110 over the LANand/or via the internet. The mobile device 180 may be configured totransmit digital messages over the internet to an external service(e.g., If This Then That (IFTTT®) service), and then the digitalmessages may be received by the system controller 110. The mobile device180 may transmit the RF signals 108 via a Wi-Fi communication link, aWi-MAX communications link, a Bluetooth communications link, a nearfield communication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, atelevision white space (TVWS) communication link, or any combinationthereof. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device 180 may beconfigured to transmit RF signals according to the proprietary protocol.

The load control system 100 may comprise other types of network devicescoupled to the network, such as a desktop personal computer, a Wi-Fi orwireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitableInternet-Protocol-enabled device. Examples of load control systemsoperable to communicate with mobile and/or network devices on a networkare described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.Application Publication No. 2013/0030589, published Jan. 31, 2013,entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The operation of the load control system 100 may be programmed andconfigured using, for example, the mobile device 180 or other networkdevice (e.g., when the mobile device is a personal computing device).The mobile device 180 may execute a graphical user interface (GUI)configuration software for allowing a user to program how the loadcontrol system 100 will operate. For example, the configuration softwaremay run as a PC application or a web interface. The configurationsoftware and/or the system controller 110 (e.g., via instructions fromthe configuration software) may generate a load control database thatdefines the operation of the load control system 100. For example, theload control database may include information regarding the operationalsettings of different load control devices of the load control system(e.g., the dimmer switch 120, the LED driver 130, the plug-in loadcontrol device 140, the motorized window treatments 150, and/or thethermostat 160). The load control database may comprise informationregarding associations between the load control devices and the inputdevices (e.g., the remote control device 170, the occupancy sensor 172,and/or the daylight sensor 174). The load control database may compriseinformation regarding how the load control devices respond to inputsreceived from the input devices. Examples of configuration proceduresfor load control systems are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,391,297, issued Jun. 24, 2008,entitled HANDHELD PROGRAMMER FOR A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; U.S. Pat.Application Publication No. 2008/0092075, published Apr. 17, 2008,entitled METHOD OF BUILDING A DATABASE OF A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; andU.S. Pat. Application No. 13/830,237, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitledCOMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The system controller 110 may be configured to determine the location ofthe mobile device 180 and/or the occupant 182. The system controller 110may be configured to control (e.g., automatically control) the loadcontrol devices (e.g., the dimmer switch 120, the LED driver 130, theplug-in load control device 140, the motorized window treatments 150,and/or the temperature control device 160) in response to determiningthe location of the mobile device 180 and/or the occupant 182. Thesystem controller 110 may be configured to control the load controldevices according to occupant control parameters associated with theoccupant 182. The occupant control parameters may be predetermined orpreset settings for the occupant 182, biometric data for the occupant,and/or user input data received from the user via the mobile device 180.

One or more of the control devices of the load control system 100 maytransmit beacon signals, for example, RF beacon signals transmittedusing a short-range and/or low-power RF technology, such as Bluetoothtechnology. The load control system 100 may comprise at least one beacontransmitting device 184 for transmitting the beacon signals. The beacontransmitting devices 184 may be battery-powered (e.g., including abattery for powering the beacon transmitting device). The beacontransmitting device 184 may also be plugged into a receptacle to receiveAC power and/or may be connected to an external power supply forreceiving DC power. Any fixed-location control device of the loadcontrol system 100 (e.g., any of the load control devices, such as thedimmer switch 120, the LED driver 130, the motorized window treatments150, and/or the temperature control device 160) may be also beconfigured to transmit the beacon signals (e.g., to operate beacontransmitting devices).

The mobile device 180 may be configured to receive a beacon signal whenlocated near a control device that is presently transmitting the beaconsignal. A beacon signal may comprise a unique identifier identifying thelocation of the load control device that transmitted the beacon signal.Since the beacon signal may be transmitted using a short-range and/orlow-power technology, the unique identifier may indicate the approximatelocation of the mobile device 180. The mobile device 180 may beconfigured to transmit the unique identifier to the system controller110, which may be configured to determine the location of the mobiledevice 180 using the unique identifier (e.g., using data stored inmemory or retrieved via the Internet). The system controller 110 may beconfigured to transmit control data (e.g., the determined locationand/or names of an area, groups, zones, electrical loads, controldevices, load control devices, input devices, presets, and/or scenesassociated with the location) back to the mobile device 180 and/orcontrol (e.g., automatically control) the load control devices inresponse to the location of the mobile device.

The system controller 110 may be configured to determine the location ofthe mobile device 180 using triangulation. Since the load controldevices of the load control system 100 may be mounted in fixedlocations, the load control devices may measure the signal strength ofRF signals received from the mobile device 180. The load control devicesmay transmit these signals strengths to the system controller 110, whichmay be configured to determine the location of the mobile device usingthe signal strengths. One or more load control devices of the loadcontrol system 100 may be movable devices. As such, the load controlsystem 100 may comprise fixed and movable load control devices. Anexample of a load control system for controlling one or more electricalloads in response to the position of a mobile device and/or occupantinside of a building is described in greater detail in commonly-assignedU.S. Pat. Application No. 14/832,798, filed Aug. 21, 2015, entitled LOADCONTROL SYSTEM RESPONSIVE TO LOCATION OF AN OCCUPANT AND MOBILE DEVICES,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may comprise a wireless power supply forpowering one or more of the control devices in the room 102. Thewireless power supply may comprise a wireless power transmitting module190 configured to wirelessly transmit power to wireless power receivingcircuits inside of one or more of the control devices in the room. Thewireless power receiving circuits may be configured to harvest (e.g.,obtain or capture) energy from RF signals 198 transmitted by thewireless power transmitting module 190.

The wireless power transmitting module 190 may comprise a wireless powertransmitting circuit (not shown) housed within an enclosure 192. Thewireless power transmitting module 190 may include an antenna (e.g., adipole antenna), which for example, may include two transmitting antennawires 194A, 194B that extend from the enclosure 192 and that are coupled(e.g., electrically or magnetically coupled) to the wireless powertransmitting circuit. The antenna may also be formed as a loop orhelical antenna. The wireless power transmitting module 190 may compriseelectrical prongs (not shown) that may be plugged into a standardelectrical outlet 196 for powering the wireless power transmittingcircuit from an AC power source. In some examples, the transmittingantenna wires 194A, 194B may be positioned horizontally to extend inopposite directions, for example, along the floor at the bottom of thewall below the motorized window treatments 150 as shown in FIG. 1A.

The wireless power transmitting module 190 may, for example, beconfigured to continuously transmit power to the wireless powerreceiving circuits of the control devices. Alternatively oradditionally, the wireless power transmitting module 190 may beconfigured to transmit power in a periodic (e.g., a pulsed orpulse-width modulated) manner, for example, in bursts having a higherpeak power for a shorter duration. If power is transmitted in a periodicmatter, the frequency of the pulses can be adjusted with respect to time(e.g., swept), such that there is no specific channel (e.g., frequency)with which the wireless power supply transmitting module 190 isconstantly interfering.

The wireless power transmitting module 190 may power one or more controldevices, or may supplement the power supply of one or more controldevices, for example, any of the control devices described herein. Thewireless power transmitting module 190 (e.g., the enclosure thatincludes the wireless power transmitting module 190) may be configuredto be affixed (e.g., permanently affixed) in a relative location in theroom 102 with respect to one or more of the control devices. Forexample, the wireless power transmitting module 190 may be configured tobe affixed at least two feet away from a control device. The controldevice may also be configured to be affixed (e.g., permanently affixed)in a location in the room 102. In that regard, the wireless powertransmitting module 190 and the control devices may be configured to beaffixed in relative locations during operation of the control devices.

The control devices that harvest power from the wireless powertransmitting module may include an antenna and an internal wirelesspower receiving circuit. The antenna of the control device may beconfigured to be substantially parallel with the antenna of the wirelesspower transmitting module 190. For example, the motor drive units 155 ofthe motorized window treatments 150 may each comprise an internalwireless power receiving circuit that allows for powering a motor, aninternal control circuit, and/or an internal wireless communicationcircuit (e.g., an RF transceiver) of the motor drive unit. The motordrive units 155 may each comprise an antenna (e.g., a dipole antenna)having two antenna wires 156A, 156B that extend from the motor driveunit 155 and are electrically coupled to the internal wireless powerreceiving circuit. The antenna may also be formed as a loop or helicalantenna. The motor drive units 115 may also comprise a backup battery incase the wireless power receiving circuit is not able to supply power tothe motor, the internal control circuit, and/or the internal wirelesscommunication circuit.

The federal communications commission (FCC) sets and maintainsrestrictions and regulations on wireless transmissions according tospecific frequency bands. For wireless power transmission, a frequencyband may be selected that allows sufficient power to be transmittedwhile reducing losses. For example, higher frequencies have greaterlosses and require the transmitting and receiving antennas to bephysically closer. In some examples, the wireless power transmittingmodule 190 may transmit the RF signals 198 in an AM radio band (e.g., asdefined by FCC 15.219) in the RF frequency range of approximately580-1700 kHz. This AM radio band allows a transmission power of up to100 mW (20 dBm) if the antenna of the wireless power transmitting module190 is less than three meters in length. For example, the transmittingantenna wires 194A, 194B may have a total length of approximately 45inches (e.g., 0.005 times the wavelength λ, or about 1.14 meters) at atransmission frequency f_(TX) of 1295 kHz. The theoretical maximum gainfor an antenna having dimensions equal to 0.005 λ, is about -.

Friis formula is typically used in the art to calculate received powerfrom the transmitting antenna at the receiving antenna. According toFriis formula (Equation 1),

P_(RX)=P_(IN)+G_(T)+G_(R)+PL

where P_(RX) is the power received at the receiving antenna, P_(IN) isthe input power into the transmitting antenna, G_(T) is the gain of thetransmitting antenna, G_(R) is the gain of the receiving antenna, and PLis the path loss. For similar receiving and transmitting antennas, theperformance may be assumed to be similar (i.e., G_(T) = G_(R)). The pathloss in the far field (PL_(FF)) may be calculated, for example,according to Equation 2 below:

PL_(FF) 10log₁₀[0.25(λ/2πR)²]

where R is the distance between the transmitting and receiving antennas.

However, when the distance from the transmission antenna is in the nearfield (i.e., for ranges of less than 0.1 λ), this path loss calculationbecomes inaccurate. In some instances, for example where the wirelesspower transmitting module provides power to the motorized windowtreatment, the distance between the transmitting antenna of the wirelesspower transmitting module, which is plugged into an electrical outlet,and the receiving antenna in the motor drive unit in the headrail of themotorized window treatment, may be less than or equal to approximately7.6 feet (e.g., 0.01 times the wavelength λ at the transmissionfrequency f_(TX) of 1295 kHz). This distance is within the near field;therefore, to more accurately calculate path loss, the equation must beadapted for near field calculations, according to the modified path lossequation for near field (PL_(NF)), for example, as described in Equation3:

PL_(NF) = 10log₁₀[0.25(λ/2πR)² − (λ/2πR)⁴ + (λ/2πR)⁶]

Using equations [1] and [3], for a path length of 7.6 feet and atransmission frequency of 1295 kHz, the path loss can be approximated to66 dBm. Therefore, the power at the receiving antenna can then beestimated by:

P_(RX) = 20dBm + (-35dB) + (-35dB) + 66 = 16dBm

Therefore, the received power is approximately 16 dBm, or 40mW.

Although the frequency described here is 1295 kHz, the wireless powersupply transmitting module 190 is not limited to this frequency, nor thefrequency band specified in FCC 15.219. For instance, in some examples,the wireless power transmitting module 190 may transmit the RF signals198 at a different frequency, for example, at 2.4 GHz. The antenna(s) ofthe wireless power transmitting module 190 transmitting at a higherfrequency, such as 2.4 GHz, may be shorter than the antenna(s)transmitting at 1295 kHz. The antenna(s) of the wireless power supplytransmitting module 190 transmitting at 2.4 GHz may be contained withinthe enclosure 192 and the wireless power transmitting module 190 may notrequire the antenna wires 194A, 194B that extend from the enclosure 192.Due to a smaller antenna size at 2.4 GHz, the antennas of thetransmitter and/or the receiver may be an antenna array or a cascade ofmultiple antenna elements with outputs in parallel, (i.e., containmultiple antennas). For example, the receiving antenna array may be adirectional array, such as a Yagi antenna array.

Other control devices of the load control system 100, such as, forexample, the remote control device 170, the occupancy sensor 172, thedaylight sensor 174, and/or the beacon transmitting device 184, may alsocomprise wireless power receiving circuits for harvesting energy fromthe RF signals 198 transmitted by the wireless power transmitting module190.

FIG. 1B is a simple diagram of another example load control system 100′for controlling the amount of power delivered from analternating-current (AC) power source (not shown) to one or moreelectrical loads. The load control system 100′ shown in FIG. 1B is verysimilar to the load control system 100 shown in FIG. 1A and has manysimilar control devices. The load control system 100' may comprise awireless power supply for powering one or more of the control devices inthe load control system. The wireless power supply may comprise awireless power transmitting module 190' configured to wirelesslytransmit power to wireless power receiving circuits inside of one ormore of the control devices in the room. The wireless power receivingcircuits may be configured to harvest energy from RF signals 198transmitted by the wireless power transmitting module 190′.

The wireless power transmitting module 190' may comprise a wirelesspower transmitting circuit (not shown) housed within an enclosure 192'.To power the wireless power transmitting circuit, the wireless powertransmitting module 190' may comprise electrical prongs (not shown) thatmay be plugged into the electrical outlet 196, which may be electricallycoupled to an AC power source via electrical wires (shown by 199A, 199Bin FIG. 1B). Rather than including an antenna (e.g., as with thewireless power transmitting module 190 of FIG. 1A), the wireless powertransmitting circuit of the wireless power transmitting module 190′ ofFIG. 1B may be coupled (e.g., electrically or magnetically coupled) tothe electrical wires 199A, 199B (e.g., to the hot connection) via one ormore of the electrical prongs for radiating the RF signals 198 (e.g., toform a carrier current transmission system) via the electrical wires199A, 199B. For example, the wireless power transmitting module 190′ maybe configured to continuously transmit power to the wireless powerreceiving circuits of the control devices. Further, the wireless powertransmitting module 190' may be configured to transmit power in aperiodic (e.g., a pulsed or pulse-width modulated) manner, for example,in bursts having a higher peak power for a shorter duration. If power istransmitted in a periodic matter, the frequency of the pulses can beadjusted with respect to time (e.g., swept), such that there is nospecific channel (e.g., frequency) with which the wireless powertransmitting module 190′ is constantly interfering.

FIG. 2A is a simplified block diagram of an example wireless powertransmitting module 200, which may be deployed as, for example, thewireless power transmitting module 190 of the wireless power supplyshown in FIG. 1A. The wireless power transmitting module 200 maycomprise a wireless power transmitting circuit 210 coupled to an antenna212, e.g., an electric field (E-field) antenna, through a balun circuit214. For example, the antenna 212 may comprise a dipole antenna (e.g.,having the antenna wires 194A, 194B as shown in FIG. 1A). The antenna212 may also be formed as a loop or helical antenna. The wireless powertransmitting circuit 210 may be configured to wirelessly transmit powerto, for example, wireless power receiving circuits inside of one or moreof the control devices of a load control system (e.g., the controldevices of the load control system 100 shown in FIG. 1A).

The wireless power transmitting module 200 may comprise a controlcircuit 220 (e.g., a digital control circuit) for controlling theoperation of the wireless power transmitting circuit 210. The controlcircuit 220 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, a programmablelogic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), orany suitable processing device or control circuit. For example, thecontrol circuit 220 may be configured to control the wireless powertransmitting circuit 210 to cause the wireless power transmittingcircuit 210 to transmit (e.g., continuously transmit) power to thewireless power receiving circuits of the control devices. Further, thecontrol circuit 220 may be configured to pulse-width modulate theoperation of the wireless power transmitting circuit 210 to cause thewireless power transmitting circuit 210 to transmit power in a periodic(e.g., a pulsed or pulse-width modulated) manner, for example, in burstshaving a higher peak power for a shorter duration.

The wireless power transmitting module 200 may comprise a power supply230 for generating a DC supply voltage Vcc (e.g., having a nominalmagnitude of approximately 3.3 V) for powering the wireless powertransmitting circuit 210 and the control circuit 220. The DC supplyvoltage Vcc may be generated across a storage capacitor C232. The powersupply 230 may be electrically coupled to a hot terminal H and a neutralterminal N to receiver power from an AC power source (e.g., via theelectrical prongs of the wireless power transmitting module 190 shown inFIG. 1A).

FIG. 2B is a simplified block diagram of an example wireless powertransmitting module 250, which may be deployed as, for example, thewireless power transmitting module 190′ of the wireless power supplyshown in FIG. 1B. The wireless power transmitting module 250 maycomprise a wireless power transmitting circuit 260 configured towirelessly transmit power to, for example, wireless power receivingcircuits inside of one or more of the control devices of a load controlsystem (e.g., the control devices of the load control system 100′ shownin FIG. 1B). The wireless power transmitting module 250 may comprise acontrol circuit 270 (e.g., a digital control circuit) for controllingthe operation of the wireless power transmitting circuit 260. Thecontrol circuit 270 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, aprogrammable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array(FPGA), or any suitable processing device or control circuit. Thewireless power transmitting module 250 may comprise a power supply 280for generating a DC supply voltage Vcc (e.g., having a nominal magnitudeof approximately 3.3 V) for powering the wireless power transmittingcircuit 260 and the control circuit 270. The DC supply voltage Vcc maybe generated across a storage capacitor C282. The power supply 280 maybe electrically coupled to a hot terminal H and a neutral terminal N toreceiver power from an AC power source.

The wireless power transmitting circuit 260 may be coupled (e.g.,electrically or magnetically coupled) to the hot terminal H through acoupling circuit 262. For example, the coupling circuit 262 couldcomprise a capacitor (not shown) coupled between the wireless powertransmitting circuit 260 and the hot terminal H. Further, the couplingcircuit 262 could comprise a transformer (not shown) for coupling thewireless power transmitting circuit 260 to the hot terminal H.

The control circuit 270 may be configured to control the wireless powertransmitting circuit 260 to cause the wireless power transmittingcircuit 260, for example, to continuously transmit power to the wirelesspower receiving circuits of the control devices. Further, the controlcircuit 270 may be configured to pulse-width modulate the operation ofthe wireless power transmitting circuit 260 to cause the wireless powertransmitting circuit 260 to transmit power in a periodic (e.g., a pulsedor pulse-width modulated) manner, for example, in bursts having a higherpeak power for a shorter duration.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control device,e.g., a motor drive unit 300 for a motorized window treatment, which maybe deployed as, for example, the motor drive unit 155 of the motorizedwindow treatment 150 shown in FIG. 1A. The motor drive unit 300 maycomprise a control circuit 310 (e.g., a digital control circuit) forcontrolling the operation of an electrical load, e.g., a motor 312. Forexample, the motor 312 may comprise a DC motor or other suitable motorload. The control circuit 310 may comprise, for example, amicroprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device or control circuit.The control circuit 310 may be coupled to a motor drive circuit 314(e.g., an H-bridge drive circuit) for driving the motor 312 via one ormore drive signals V_(DRIVE). The motor drive circuit 314 may controlthe amount of power delivered to the motor 312 in response to the drivesignals V_(DRIVE) to adjust the position of a covering material (e.g.,the window treatment fabric 152) between a fully-open position and afully-closed position.

The control circuit 310 may receive information regarding the rotationalposition and direction of rotation of the motor 312 from a rotationalposition sensor circuit 316 (e.g., a transmissive optical sensorcircuit). The rotational position sensor circuit 316 may also compriseother suitable position sensors or sensor arrangements, such as, forexample, Hall-effect, optical, or resistive sensors. The control circuit310 may be configured to determine a rotational position of the motor312 in response to the rotational position sensor circuit 316, and touse the rotational position of the motor to determine a present positionof the covering material. The control circuit 310 may comprise aninternal non-volatile memory (e.g., and/or an external memory coupled tothe control circuit) for storage of operational characteristics of themotor drive unit 200, for example, the present position of the coveringmaterial, the fully open position, the fully closed position.

The motor drive unit 300 may comprise a wireless communication circuit,e.g., an RF transceiver 320 coupled to an antenna 322 for transmittingand receiving wireless signals (e.g., the RF signals 108). The controlcircuit 310 may be coupled to the RF transceiver 320 for receivingdigital messages via the RF signals from an input device (e.g., theremote control device 170, the occupancy sensor 172, and/or the daylightsensor 174). The control circuit 310 may be configured to control themotor drive circuit 314 in response to the received digital messages.The control circuit 310 may be configured to transmit digital messagesincluding status information to an external device (e.g., the systemcontroller 110) via the RF signals. Further, the wireless communicationcircuit may comprise an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, an RFtransmitter for transmitting RF signals, an infrared (IR) transmitterand/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving IR signals, and/orother suitable wireless communication circuit.

The motor drive unit 300 may also comprise a wireless power receivingcircuit 330 coupled to an antenna 332, e.g., an electric field (E-field)antenna, through a balun circuit 334. For example, the antenna 332 maycomprise a dipole antenna (e.g., having the antenna wires 156A, 156B asshown in FIG. 1A). The wireless power receiving circuit 330 may includean RF-to-DC converter circuit 336 and an energy storage element, such asa storage capacitor C338 (e.g., having a capacitance of approximately100 µF). Alternatively or additionally, the energy storage element maycomprise a battery, a super capacitor, an inductor, or other suitableenergy storage device. The antenna 332 may capture (e.g., harvest) powerfrom RF signals transmitted by a wireless power transmitting module(e.g., the RF signals 198 transmitted by the wireless power transmittingmodule 190). For example, the amount of power harvested by the antenna332 from the RF signals may be approximately 40 mW. The RF-to-DCconverter circuit 336 may operate to convert the energy from the RFsignals to an un-regulated DC voltage V_(UN-REG) across the storagecapacitor C338. The RF-to-DC converter circuit 336 may have, forexample, an efficiency of approximately 50%, such that the amount ofpower able to be delivered by the RF-to-DC converter circuit may beapproximately 20 mW.

The motor drive unit 300 may comprise a first regulated power supply,e.g., a buck/boost converter 340, for generating a first regulated DCsupply voltage V_(CC1) (e.g., having a nominal magnitude ofapproximately 3.3 V) from the un-regulated DC voltage V_(UN-REG). Thefirst DC supply voltage V_(CC1) may be generated across a storagecapacitor C342, which, for example, may comprise a super-capacitor (ormultiple super capacitors in parallel) and may have a capacitance ofapproximately 50 F. The buck/boost converter 340 may have, for example,an efficiency of approximately 80%, such that the amount of power ableto be delivered by the buck/boost converter may be approximately 16 mW.The low-voltage circuitry of the motor drive unit 300 (e.g., includingthe control circuit 310 and the RF transceiver 320) may be powered bythe first DC supply voltage V_(CC1) and may require, for example,approximately 1mW of power when the control circuit is not controllingthe motor drive circuit 314 to drive the motor 312. In some examples,the low-voltage circuitry of the motor drive unit 300 may be poweredexclusively by the DC supply voltage V_(CC1).

The motor drive unit 300 may further comprise a second regulated powersupply, e.g., a boost converter 344, that may receive the first DCsupply voltage V_(CC1) and may generate a second regulated DC supplyvoltage V_(CC2) (e.g., having a nominal magnitude of approximately 9 V)across a storage capacitor C342 (e.g., having a capacitance ofapproximately 680 µF). The boost converter 344 may have, for example, anefficiency of approximately 80%, such that the amount of power able tobe delivered by the boost converter may be approximately 13 mW. Themotor drive circuit 314 may receive the second DC supply voltage V_(CC2)for driving the motor 312. For example, the motor drive circuit 314 maybe configured to draw a motor current from the second DC supply voltageV_(CC2), where the motor current may have an average magnitude that isgreater when the control circuit 310 is rotating the motor 312 to raisethe covering material than when the control circuit 310 is rotating themotor 312 to lowering the covering material, For example, the averagemagnitude of the motor current may be approximately 150 mA when thecontrol circuit 310 is rotating the motor 312 to lower the coveringmaterial and approximately 200 mA when the control circuit 310 isrotating the motor 312 to raise the covering material (e.g., for a shadelength of approximately 10 feet).

The boost converter 344 may be configured to generate the second DCsupply voltage V_(CC2) when needed, for example, in response to a boostcontrol signal V_(ENABLE) generated by the control circuit 310. Forexample, the control circuit 310 may be configured to enable the boostconverter 344 to generate the second DC supply voltage V_(CC2) when thecontrol circuit is controlling the motor drive circuit 314 to drive themotor 312. The control circuit 310 may be configured to disable theboost converter 344 when the second DC supply voltage V_(CC2) is notneeded to drive the motor 312. The capacitor C342 (for storing the firstDC supply voltage V_(CC1)) may be sized such that the magnitude of thefirst DC supply voltage V_(CC1) only drops approximately one volt whenthe control circuit 310 is rotating the motor to raise the coveringmaterial from the fully-closed position to the fully-open position(e.g., if the covering material has a length of approximately 120inches). The capacitor C342 may be configured to charge when the controlcircuit 310 is not controlling the motor drive circuit 312 to drive themotor 312. For example, if the magnitude of the first DC supply voltageV_(CC1) drops approximately one volt while the motor 312 is rotating toraise the covering material, the capacitor C342 may requireapproximately 2.52 hours to recharge to the nominal magnitude (e.g.,approximately 3.3 V).

The motor drive unit 300 may further comprise a battery 350 coupled inseries with a diode D352 between the first DC supply voltage V_(CC1) andthe second DC supply voltage V_(CC2). While one battery is shown in FIG.2A, the battery 350 may comprise multiple batteries coupled in paralleland/or in series. The control circuit 310 may be configured to receive afeedback signal V_(FB) that indicates the magnitude of the second DCsupply voltage V_(CC2). If the magnitude of the second DC supply voltageV_(CC2) drops below a predetermined threshold (e.g., below a level thatis too low to appropriately drive the motor 312), the control circuit310 may disable the boost converter 344, such that the motor drivecircuit 314 is able to draw current from the battery 350 through thediode D352 to drive the motor. For example, the control circuit 310 mayonly need to disable the boost converter 344 while driving the motor 312when the covering material is being moved rapidly in a short period oftime. During normal operation of the motor drive unit 300, the motordrive circuit 314 may not draw current from the battery 350 thusextending the lifetime of the battery.

Since the capacitor C342 for storing the first DC supply voltage V_(CC1)has a large capacitance, the capacitor C342 may take a long time tocharge when the motor drive unit 150 is first powered up. Accordingly,the motor drive unit 350 may further comprise a quick-charge connector360 electrically coupled to the capacitor C342 to quickly charge thecapacitor C342 from an external power supply to allow for the initialsetup and operation of the motor drive unit 300.

It should be appreciated that other load control devices of the loadcontrol system 100 (e.g., the LED driver 130, the plug-in load controldevice 140, a controllable electrical receptacle, a thermostat, an audiosystem, etc.) may include a wireless power receiving circuit and have asimilar structure as the motor drive unit 300 shown in FIG. 3 . Forexample, the load control device may include all the components of theload control device 300 except for the motor 312, the motor drivecircuit 314, and/or the rotational position sensor circuit 316, and forexample, may include one or more other components specific to loadcontrol device (e.g., specific for controlling the electrical loadcontrolled by the load control device). For example, low-voltagecircuitry of the load control device may be powered (e.g., exclusively)by the first DC supply voltage V_(CC1), and higher-voltage circuity ofthe load control device may be powered by the second DC supply voltageV_(CC2).

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of an example control device, e.g.,a remote control device 400, which may be deployed as, for example, theremote control device 170 of the load control system 100 shown in FIG.1A. The remote control device 400 may comprise a control circuit 410,which may include one or more of a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), amicrocontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), orany suitable processing device. The remote control device 400 maycomprise one or more control actuators 412 for receiving user inputs(e.g., for controlling an electrical load), and one or more visualindicators 414 for providing feedback to a user of the remote controldevice 400. The control circuit 410 may comprise an internalnon-volatile memory (e.g., and/or an external memory coupled to thecontrol circuit) for storage of operational characteristics of theremote control device 400, such as, a unique identifier (e.g., a serialnumber) of the remote control device.

The remote control device 400 may comprise a wireless communicationcircuit, e.g., an RF transceiver 420 coupled to an antenna 422 fortransmitting wireless signals (e.g., the RF signals 108). The controlcircuit 410 may be coupled to the RF transceiver 420 for transmittingdigital messages via the RF signals in response to the actuations of thecontrol actuators 412. The digital messages transmitted by the remotecontrol device 400 may include a command and identifying information,for example, the serial number that is stored in the memory. The remotecontrol device 400 may be configured to transmit digital messages viathe RF signals according to a predefined RF communication protocol, suchas, for example, one of LUTRON CLEAR CONNECT, WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE,Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, and ENOCEAN RADIO protocols. Alternatively, the wirelesscommunication circuit may comprise an RF receiver for receiving RFsignals, an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an infrared (IR)transmitter and/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving IRsignals, or other suitable wireless communication circuit.

The remote control device 400 may also comprise a wireless powerreceiving circuit 430 coupled to an antenna 432 through a balun circuit434. The wireless power receiving circuit 430 may include an RF-to-DCconverter circuit 436 and a storage capacitor C438 (e.g., having acapacitance of approximately 100 µF). The antenna 432 may capture (e.g.,harvest) power from RF signals transmitted by a wireless powertransmitting module (e.g., the RF signals 198 transmitted by thewireless power transmitting module 190). For example, the amount ofpower harvested by the antenna 432 from the RF signals may beapproximately 40 mW. The RF-to-DC converter circuit 436 may operate toconvert the energy from the RF signals to an un-regulated DC voltageV_(UN-REG) across the storage capacitor C438. The RF-to-DC convertercircuit 436 may have, for example, an efficiency of approximately 50%,such that the amount of power able to be delivered by the RF-to-DCconverter circuit may be approximately 20 mW.

The remote control device 400 may comprise a regulated power supply,e.g., a buck/boost converter 440, for generating a regulated DC supplyvoltage Vcc (e.g., having a nominal magnitude of approximately 3.3 V)from the un-regulated DC voltage V_(UN-REG). The DC supply voltage Vccmay be generated across a storage capacitor C442. The control circuit410, the RF transceiver 420, and/or other circuitry of the remotecontrol 400 may be powered by the DC supply voltage Vcc. For example,the circuitry (e.g., the low-voltage circuitry) of the remote control400 may be powered exclusively by the DC supply voltage Vcc. The remotecontrol device 400 may also comprise a battery (not shown) for supplyingpower to the control circuit 410, the RF transceiver 420, and/or othercircuitry of the remote control 400, for example, if the RF-to-DCconverter circuit 436 is unable to supply the appropriate power. Theremote control device 400 may further comprise a quick-charge connector(not shown) electrically coupled to the capacitor C442 to quickly chargethe capacitor C442 from an external power supply to allow for theinitial setup and operation of the remote control device 400.

Other control devices of the load control system 100 (e.g., theoccupancy sensor 172, the daylight sensor 174, and/or the beacontransmitting device 184) may have a similar structure as the remotecontrol device 400 shown in FIG. 4 . For example, the occupancy sensor172, the daylight sensor 174, and/or the beacon transmitting device 184may each comprise an RF-to-DC converter circuit similar to the RF-to-DCconverter circuit 436 of the remote control device 400 shown in FIG. 4 .In addition, the occupancy sensor 172 may comprise an internal occupancysensing circuit powered by the DC supply voltage Vcc. The daylightsensor 174 may comprise an internal daylight sensing circuit powered bythe DC supply voltage Vcc. The beacon transmitting device 184 maycomprise an internal beacon transmitting circuit powered by the DCsupply voltage Vcc.

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram of an example RF-to-DCconverter circuit 500, which may be an example of the RF-to-DC convertercircuit 336 of the motor drive unit 300 shown in FIG. 3 and/or theRF-to-DC converter circuit 436 of the remote control device 400 shown inFIG. 4 . The RF-to-DC converter circuit 500 may be coupled to an antenna510 (e.g., the antenna 332 shown in FIG. 3 and/or the antenna 432 shownin FIG. 4 ) for harvesting power from RF signals transmitted by awireless power transmitting module (e.g., the RF signals 198 transmittedby the wireless power transmitting module 190). The RF-to-DC convertercircuit 500 may operate to convert the energy from the RF signals (e.g.,transmitted in the AM radio band in the RF frequency range ofapproximately 580-1700 kHz) received by the antenna 510 to an outputvoltage V_(OUT) (e.g., un-regulated DC voltage) generated across astorage capacitor C560.

The antenna 510 may comprise two antenna wires 510A, 510B (e.g., theantenna wires 156A, 156B of the motor drive units 155 shown in FIG. 1A),for example, that form a dipole antenna. The antenna 510 may be coupledto the RF-to-DC converter circuit 500 through balun circuit 520. Thebalun circuit 520 may comprise a first LC circuit (e.g., having acapacitor C522 and an inductor L524) electrically coupled between thefirst antenna wire 510A and the RF-to-DC converter circuit 500. Thebalun circuit 520 may comprise a second LC circuit (e.g., having aninductor L526 and a capacitor C528) electrically coupled between thesecond antenna wire 510B and the RF-to-DC converter circuit 500.

The RF-to-DC converter circuit 500 may comprise a matching network 530(e.g., a π-network) having an inductor L532 and two capacitors C534,C536. The matching network 530 may ensure maximum power transfer fromthe antenna 510 to the rest of the circuitry of the RF-to-DC convertercircuit 500. The RF-to-DC converter circuit 500 may also comprise atransformer 540 (e.g., a step-up transformer) having a primary winding542 coupled to the matching network 530 and a secondary winding 544coupled to AC terminals of a rectifier circuit 550 (e.g., a full-wavebridge rectifier). The transformer 540 may have a turn ratio of, forexample, 1:N, such that the magnitude of a secondary voltage across thesecondary winding 544 is greater than a magnitude of a primary voltageacross the primary winding 542. The rectifier circuit 550 may have DCterminals coupled across the storage capacitor C560 for generating theoutput voltage V_(OUT) across the storage capacitor. The increase in themagnitude of the voltage provided by the transformer 540 may ensure thatthe losses through the rectifier circuit 550 (e.g., due to the forwarddrop of the diodes of the bridge rectifier) are minimal.

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of another example RF-to-DCconverter circuit 600, which may also be an example of the RF-to-DCconverter circuit 336 of the motor drive unit 300 shown in FIG. 3 and/orthe RF-to-DC converter circuit 436 of the remote control device 400shown in FIG. 4 . The RF-to-DC converter circuit 600 may be coupled toan antenna 610 (e.g., the antenna 332 shown in FIG. 3 and/or the antenna432 shown in FIG. 4 ) for harvesting power from RF signals transmittedby a wireless power transmitting module (e.g., the RF signals 198transmitted by the wireless power transmitting module 190). The RF-to-DCconverter circuit 600 may operate to convert the energy from the RFsignals (e.g., transmitted at 2.4 GHz) received by the antenna 610 to anoutput voltage V_(OUT) (e.g., un-regulated DC voltage) generated acrossa storage capacitor C660.

The antenna 610 may comprise two antenna wires 610A, 610B (e.g., theantenna wires 156A, 156B of the motor drive units 155 shown in FIG. 1A),for example, that forms a dipole antenna. The antenna 610 may be coupledto the RF-to-DC converter circuit 600 through balun circuit 620. Thebalun circuit 620 may comprise a first LC circuit (e.g., having acapacitor C622 and an inductor L624) electrically coupled between thefirst antenna wire 610A and the RF-to-DC converter circuit 600. Thebalun circuit 620 may comprise a second LC circuit (e.g., having aninductor L626 and a capacitor C628) electrically coupled between thesecond antenna wire 610B and the RF-to-DC converter circuit 600.

The RF-to-DC converter circuit 600 may comprise a matching network 630(e.g., a π-network) having an inductor L632 and two capacitors C634,C636. The matching network 630 may ensure maximum power transfer fromthe antenna 610 to the rest of the circuitry of the RF-to-DC convertercircuit 600. The matching network 630 may be coupled to AC terminals ofa rectifier circuit 650 (e.g., a full-wave bridge rectifier). Therectifier circuit 650 may have DC terminals coupled across the storagecapacitor C660 for generating the output voltage V_(OUT) across thestorage capacitor. In addition, the DC terminals of the rectifiercircuit 650 may be coupled to the storage capacitor C660 and circuitcommon through respective ferrite beads 662, 664. The ferrite beads 662,664 may operates to ensure that the storage capacitor C660 does notappear as a short circuit at the frequency of the RF signals (e.g., at2.4 GHz).

What is claimed is:
 1. A motorized window treatment wireless powertransfer system, comprising: first power converter circuitry coupled toa first antenna, the first power converter circuitry to receive an RFsignal via the first antenna, convert the received RF signal to a firstDC voltage; second power converter circuitry to receive the first DCvoltage and provide a second DC voltage greater than the first DCvoltage; an energy storage device to receive the first DC voltage fromthe first power converter circuitry, the energy storage device coupledin parallel with the second power converter circuitry; wireless powerreceiver control circuitry to: receive an indication of the second DCvoltage delivered by second power converter circuitry to a motoroperatively coupled to a motorized window treatment system; cause aselective transition of the second power converter circuitry between anOPERATIONAL state and a NON-OPERATIONAL state such that: responsive tothe measured voltage delivered to a motorized window treatment above athreshold value: cause the second power converter circuitry to remain inthe OPERATIONAL state; and cause the second power converter circuitry todeliver power to a motor operatively coupled to the motorized windowtreatment; and responsive to the measured voltage delivered to themotorized window treatment at or below the threshold value: cause thesecond power converter circuitry to transition from the OPERATIONALstate to the NON-OPERATIONAL state; and cause the energy storage deviceto deliver power to the motor operatively coupled to the motorizedwindow treatment.
 2. The wireless power transfer system of claim 1,further comprising: a first rechargeable energy storage deviceoperatively coupled to the first power converter circuitry, the firstrechargeable energy storage device to provide power to the wirelesspower receiver control circuitry.
 3. The wireless power transfer systemof claim 2, further comprising: a second rechargeable energy storagedevice operatively coupled to the second power converter circuitry, thesecond rechargeable energy storage device to provide power to the motordriving the motorized window treatment.
 4. The wireless power transfersystem of claim 3, further comprising: an RF transceiver communicativelycoupled to a second antenna and to the wireless power receiver controlcircuitry; wherein the wireless power receiver control circuitry tofurther: receive an instruction from the RF transceiver circuitry, theinstruction including data representative of a final window treatmentposition; cause a transition of the second power converter circuitryfrom the NON-OPERATIONAL state to the OPERATIONAL state; and cause themotor to position the motorized window treatment at the final position.5. The wireless power transfer system of claim 4 wherein the wirelesspower receiver control circuitry to further: responsive to the receiptof the instruction from the RF transceiver circuitry, determine astarting position of the motorized window treatment.
 6. The wirelesspower transfer system of claim 4 wherein the wireless power receivercontrol circuitry to further: responsive to the receipt of theinstruction from the RF transceiver circuitry: determine a startingposition of the motorized window treatment; and monitor, via anoperatively coupled rotational position sensor circuit, a location ofthe motorized window treatment while the motorized window treatment isin motion.
 7. The wireless power transfer system of claim 4 wherein thewireless power receiver control circuitry to further: responsive to thereceipt of the instruction from the RF transceiver circuitry, determinea direction of rotation of the motorized window treatment.
 8. Thewireless power transfer system of claim 1 wherein the first powerconverter circuitry to receive a pulse width modulated (PWM) RF signal.9. The wireless power transfer system of claim 1 wherein the first powerconverter circuitry to receive a continuous RF signal.
 10. A method ofwirelessly delivering power to a motorized window treatment system, themethod comprising: receiving, by first power converter circuitry, an RFsignal; converting, by the first power converter circuitry, the receivedRF signal to a first DC voltage; receiving, by wireless power receivercontrol circuitry, an indication of a second DC voltage generated bysecond power converter circuitry using the first DC voltage anddelivered to a motor operatively coupled to the motorized windowtreatment system; causing, by the wireless power receiver controlcircuitry, a selective transition of the second power convertercircuitry between an OPERATIONAL state and a NON-OPERATIONAL state suchthat: responsive to the received voltage delivered to a motorized windowtreatment above a threshold value: causing, by the wireless powerreceiver control circuitry, the second power converter circuitry toremain in the OPERATIONAL state; and causing, by the wireless powerreceiver control circuitry, the second power converter circuitry todeliver power to a motor operatively coupled to the motorized windowtreatment; and responsive to the received voltage delivered to themotorized window treatment at or below the threshold value: causing, bythe wireless power receiver control circuitry, the second powerconverter circuitry to transition from the OPERATIONAL state to theNON-OPERATIONAL state; and causing, by the wireless power receivercontrol circuitry, an energy storage device coupled in parallel with thesecond power converter circuitry to deliver power to the motoroperatively coupled to the motorized window treatment.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising: receiving, by the wireless power receivercontrol circuitry, via a second antenna and an RF transceivercommunicatively coupled to the second antenna, an instruction includingdata representative of a final window treatment position; transitioning,by the wireless power receiver control circuitry, the second powerconverter circuitry from the NON-OPERATIONAL state to the OPERATIONALstate; and causing, by the wireless power receiver control circuitry,the motor to position the motorized window treatment at the final windowtreatment position.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:determining, by the wireless power receiver control circuitry, astarting position of the motorized window treatment responsive to thereceipt of the instruction from the RF transceiver circuitry.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising, responsive to the receipt of theinstruction from the RF transceiver circuitry: determining, by thewireless power receiver control circuitry via an operatively coupledrotational position sensor circuit, a starting position of the motorizedwindow treatment; and monitoring, by the wireless power receiver controlcircuitry via the operatively coupled rotational position sensorcircuit, a location of the motorized window treatment while themotorized window treatment is in motion.
 14. The method of claim 11,further comprising: determining, by the wireless power receiver controlcircuitry via an operatively coupled rotational position sensor circuit,a direction of rotation of the motorized window treatment responsive tothe receipt of the instruction from the RF transceiver circuitry.
 15. Anon-transitory, machine-readable, storage device that includesinstructions that, when executed by wireless power receiver controlcircuitry, causes the control circuitry to: receive an RF signal; causeoperatively coupled first power converter circuitry to convert thereceived RF signal to a first DC voltage; receive an indication of asecond DC voltage, generated by second power converter circuitry usingthe first DC voltage and delivered to a motor operatively coupled to themotorized window treatment system; cause a selective transition of thesecond power converter circuitry between an OPERATIONAL and aNON-OPERATIONAL state such that: responsive to the received voltagedelivered to a motorized window treatment above a threshold value, thecontrol circuitry to further: cause the second power converter circuitryto remain in the OPERATIONAL state; and cause the second power convertercircuitry to deliver power to a motor operatively coupled to themotorized window treatment; and responsive to the received voltagedelivered to the motorized window treatment at or below the thresholdvalue, the control circuitry to further: cause the second powerconverter circuitry to transition from the OPERATIONAL state to theNON-OPERATIONAL state; and cause an energy storage device coupled inparallel with the second power converter circuitry to deliver power tothe motor operatively coupled to the motorized window treatment.
 16. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable, storage device of claim 15 wherein theinstructions, when executed by the wireless power receiver controlcircuitry, further cause the control circuitry to: receive, via a secondantenna and an RF transceiver communicatively coupled to the secondantenna, an instruction including data representative of a final windowtreatment position; cause a transition of the second power convertercircuitry from the NON-OPERATIONAL state to the OPERATIONAL stateresponsive to the receipt of the instruction from the RF transceivercircuitry; and cause operation of the motor operatively coupled to themotorized window treatment to position the motorized window treatment atthe final window treatment position.
 17. The non-transitory,machine-readable, storage device of claim 16 wherein the instructions,when executed by the wireless power receiver control circuitry, furthercause the control circuitry to: determine, via an operatively coupledrotational position sensor circuit, a starting position of the motorizedwindow treatment responsive to the receipt of the instruction from theRF transceiver circuitry.
 18. The non-transitory, machine-readable,storage device of claim 16 wherein the instructions, when executed bythe wireless power receiver control circuitry, further cause the controlcircuitry to: responsive to the receipt of the instruction from the RFtransceiver circuitry: determine, via an operatively coupled rotationalposition sensor circuit, a starting position of the motorized windowtreatment; and monitor, via the operatively coupled rotational positionsensor circuit, a location of the motorized window treatment while themotorized window treatment is in motion.
 19. The non-transitory,machine-readable, storage device of claim 16 wherein the instructions,when executed by the wireless power receiver control circuitry, furthercause the control circuitry to: determine, via an operatively coupledrotational position sensor circuit, a direction of rotation of themotorized window treatment responsive to the receipt of the instructionfrom the RF transceiver circuitry.